Excise dept intensifies action on illegal liquor ahead of polls

Hubballi: The excise department, Dharwad, has intensified the raids against illegal liquors supplying in and around the district in the wake of state assembly elections. During elections, usually, the sale of illegal liquor is rampant as it will be used for distribution among masses.
The department commenced raids over the past six days and has booked seven cases so far. Over 70 litres of IML liquor worth Rs 1.4 lakh has been seized. The department had seized 214 litres of liquor in the years 2022–2023.
According to a source, with the state assembly elections nearing, workers of various political parties have started to woo voters by supplying liquor. During election campaign, especially public meetings, the liquor supply will be high. The department has seized 18 litres of liquor worth of Rs 47,024 in Navalgund constituency. However, 8.64 litres of liquor worth of Rs 42,688 in Hubli-Dharwad central constituency. In Kundgol constituency, 19.7 litres of liquor worth Rs 33,520,364 has been seized. Even before the election campaigns began, the supply of illegal liquor was rampant in the district, the source.
Deputy commissioner of excise department, K Prasanth Kumar told TOI that as per the state election commission's direction, they are keeping a strict vigil for this state assembly election to stop illegal liquor supply in Dharwad district.
The excise department has intensified its patrolling across the district. We are working jointly with the district administration, revenue, excise and police departments and we will soon set up 9 check posts to curb the movement of vehicles carrying illegal liquor. In the next two days, the check post will start working, he added.
Prasanth Kumar also said: “In addition, we required more home guards for vigilance and we have written a letter to the head of the department seeking home guards to work with the excise department in check posts. Very soon, home guards will also join check posts.”
Superintendent of Excise Dharwad Manjunath Areguli said: "The number of raids will be escalated to end the sale of illegal liquor and its supply to voters. Officials will watch the sales of liquor in bars and hotels and daily sales and purchase will be monitored.”